Waste Watchlist Released to Expose Key Issues

Waste watchlist: For the first time, England has unveiled a national watchlist of waste sites, marking a significant step in the Environment Agency's efforts to address waste crime. This watchlist, published on Friday, 22 May 2026, enhances the Agency’s intelligence gathering concerning 117 sites and keeps residents informed about ongoing actions in their communities. This initiative is integral to the Environment Agency’s 10 Point Plan aimed at combating waste crime. The strategy emphasizes transparency, community interaction, and the active involvement of residents in identifying and reporting illegal activities. Recent measures include proactively shutting down two waste sites in West Lancashire after revoking their permits, demonstrating a commitment to curtailing illegal operations before they take root. Waste crime continues to evolve rapidly. The Environment Agency is committed to reviewing this watchlist monthly as part of its continuous monitoring of waste sites. Community members are encouraged to raise any concerns regarding the listed locations. Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, stated: "Waste crime poses a grave threat to both our communities and our environment, driven largely by individuals indifferent to the harm they cause. This watchlist serves as a clear message of our commitment to transparency—communities deserve to know that we are taking action, and those perpetrating these crimes should be aware that we are pursuing them. We are utilizing all available resources to identify those responsible and strongly encourage anyone with knowledge about these activities to come forward." For sites deemed lower risk, the Environment Agency aims to achieve compliance through regulatory measures and community engagement. Conversely, high-risk sites will receive focused scrutiny, which may involve intelligence collection and thorough criminal investigations. Due to the sensitive nature of ongoing inquiries and possible enforcement actions, specifics on the watchlist may be limited. However, recent investigations demonstrate success, as seen when the Environment Agency arrested an individual for illegal waste dumping at various sites, including Bolton House Road in Wigan, with assistance from West Midlands Police. Clean-up efforts for illegal sites in Kidlington and Hoads Wood continue as well. Ultimately, whether any activity is unlawful will be determined by the Courts; however, it’s critical for communities to access information about concerning sites in their vicinity. The Environment Agency plans to share additional site details as they become available, with the goal of releasing relevant information to the public by summer 2026. To effectively address waste crime, accurate local information is essential for safeguarding citizens and the environment from potential hazards. Thus, the Environment Agency urges residents across England to remain alert and report any suspicious waste-related activities—whether concerning watchlist sites or not. Information can be reported to the incident hotline at 0800 80 70 60, or anonymously via Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or through their website. Tips and insights from communities play a vital role in identifying illegal operators and protecting our environment. Even the smallest piece of information can significantly impact investigations. In March, the government released its Waste Crime Action Plan, which outlines a zero-tolerance stance towards waste crime with far-reaching measures to combat offenders. This includes imposing penalty points on drivers caught illegally dumping waste and empowering the Environment Agency with police-like authority to expedite action against violators. For further details, including an FAQ section, please visit our ‘Creating a Better Place’ blog and stay informed. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-watchlist-published-to-put-a-spotlight-on-waste

Waste Watchlist Released to Expose Key Issues

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